Drain the pumpkin

[97blazermadness]

Gonna drain and fill the pumpkin today. Any problems or issues with getting the cover off without removing the sway bar? I should be able to do this without removing the sway bar right?

Thanks!

[blazee]

Is the gasket leaking? If not... it would be easier to use a pump in the fill hole.

To answer your question...the sway bar shouldn't be a problem.

[BlazerLT]

Pump in the fill hole would be a lot better.

[crazys182003]

I got a dumb question........What is "the pumpkin"? is that what you call your truck or is it actually something slang for something else?

[swalt]

Originally Posted by crazys182003

I got a dumb question........What is "the pumpkin"? is that what you call your truck or is it actually something slang for something else?

I hadn't heard the term either, but based on the description, it is the rear axle case. They don't put a drain bolt in it, just a fill bolt, so to drain it you either pump it out or pull the cover and replace the gasket.

[crazys182003]

oh ok so I take it the part most likely looks like a pumpkin. Well when my truck needs attention there I think I will opt to go to a shop. draining thigns with drain bolts is so much easier.

[blazee]

Originally Posted by swalt

I hadn't heard the term either, but based on the description, it is the rear axle case. They don't put a drain bolt in it, just a fill bolt, so to drain it you either pump it out or pull the cover and replace the gasket.

Yeah, we're talking about the rear differential.

[blazee]

If you have a 4wd drive you are better off buying a pump, because that is the only way to change the fluid in the front diff., it doesn't have a drain plug or removable plate.

[BlazerLT]

Yea, a hand pump is really cheap.

[wolfox]

I ghettoed mine together using aquarium tubing and a turkey baster. Takes a bit more time, but you will get it dry. Fish the tubing around and just keep sucking up the oil until you can't get any more...then refill. The same baster works for refilling too.

[blazee]

Originally Posted by wolfox

I ghettoed mine together using aquarium tubing and a turkey baster. Takes a bit more time, but you will get it dry. Fish the tubing around and just keep sucking up the oil until you can't get any more...then refill. The same baster works for refilling too.

I bet your wife loved that. I hope you told her before Thanksgiving.

[wolfox]

Originally Posted by blazee

I bet your wife loved that. I hope you told her before Thanksgiving.

Nope, not a problem there. See, I am single....

And now you know one of the reasons why. Anything left idle in the kitchen is a potential tool.

[blazee]

Hey, whatever works. Potential tools are only limited by your imagination.

[97blazermadness]

Just an update: I got to this job over the weekend and wasn't bad at all:

Removed the rear axle housing cover and gasket -- have a drain pan handy, it all runs out. The cover slid right out between the sway bar so that wasn't an issue at all.

Cleaned the gasket surfaces real good and re-installed the cover.

Refilled with Valvoline 75W-90 Synthetic.

[TonyMazz]

I am interested in changing both front and rear differential fluids as well, but what kind of pump are you talking about.? Is there something commerically available specific for this task...

Help is appreciated !

thanks

Tony